Theatre and Culture from Scotland, starring The List's Theatre Editor, his performance persona and occasional guest stars. Experimental writings, cod-academic critiques and all his opinions, stolen or original.

Sunday, 4 June 2017

All My Friends Are Dramaturgy: Conor Drum @ Edfringe 2017

Conor Drum:

All My Friends Are Dead

18:00

3-27 August

Laughing Horse at Bar 50

50 Blackfriars St, Edinburgh,

EH1 1NE

What was the inspiration for this
performance?

The inspiration for ‘All My Friends Are
Dead’ was being the best man at my best friend’s wedding. He was
the last of my close circle of friends back in Dublin to get married,
leaving me on my own. The last bachelor. My friends are married so
they are dead to me now, they have moved on. Attending his wedding
and others like it, I was forced to confront my current station in
life, my decisions and my future.

Is performance still a good space for
the public discussion of ideas?

I think performance is a great place for
exploring and discussing ideas. It may not be as instantaneous or
convenient as the internet but a performance is more of a
visceral and personal experience, making it possible for people to
confront new ideas and alternative opinions without the ability to
simply switch off or click away.

How did you become interested in
making performance?

I became interested in performance via my
low self-esteem, need for approval and from years of watching my
father working as an auctioneer, it is a performance in itself.

Is there any particular approach to
the making of the show?

When writing for this show or any show,
my ideas come from discussing a theme with friends, or anyone who
will listen, this sparks ideas that I can further explore, hone and
develop on stage.

Does the show fit with your usual
productions?

Absolutely, this show is in keeping with
my other shows and performances, generally exploring the theme of
growing up in the modern world and figuring out when one becomes an
adult. This show in particular is a new version of last year’s
show.

What do you hope that the audience
will experience?

I hope the audience enjoys the show and
laughs at the comedy, then tells all their friends.

What strategies did you consider
towards shaping this audience experience?

I like to keep things as simple as
possible. I do engage the audience from time to time, but I prefer to
set the tone earlier on that although interruptions are going to
occur, they are not exactly encouraged.

Absurd opinions, extended reviews, random press releases from The Arts, half baked ideas, unsuccessful experiments with the format of criticism. Brought to you by the host of The Vile Arts Radio Hour and former Theatre Editor of The Skinny, now working with The List